News Release

Contacts: Robert T. Tad Perry, Executive Director

tadp@sdbor.edu

Janelle Toman, Director of Information & Institutional Research

janellet@sdbor.edu

T: 605.773.3455

F: 605.773.5320

www.sdbor.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, October 23, 2008

Northern State Brings Graduate Programs to Local Areas

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Northern State University will bring two of its graduate-degree programs in education to communities in north central South Dakota, as part of the state’s focus on increasing the number of teachers with advanced degrees.

Groups of teachers at Miller and at Gettysburg will pursue the degrees through weekend classes in their hometowns and distance delivery of coursework. The South Dakota Board of Regents approved delivery of two Northern degrees, the master of science in education degree in teaching and learning and a similar degree in leadership and administration. NSU already offers these degree programs on its Aberdeen campus.

“The current emphasis on increasing the percentage of K-12 teachers with master’s degrees has spurred these requests,” said Regents Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry. Miller Supt. Mike Ruth and Gettysburg Supt. Jeff Marlette approached NSU officials about making the graduate education programs available to a wider audience. About 15 educators each in Miller and Gettysburg are interested in completing the degree. These off-site programs will be implemented next spring.

In other regents’ action involving Northern State University, the board approved two new certificate programs affiliated with the school’s popular banking and financial services program:

• A 12-hour intermediate banking certificate targeted to current or potential employees in the banking industry who seek professional advancement.
• A 12-hour executive banking certificate geared to current banking employees with senior-level potential.

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